In response to Japans so called vampire sightings, our nation isn't overly concerned with their presence. We are more concerned with the current threat of wide spread homelessness, then with the presence of these mythical creatures. We are interested in learning about their kind and would like to carry on about this in a peaceful way. Scientific testing can will help us to better understand their kind, their biology, and their impact on the fate of the human race. Our civilians seem pre-occupied with their recent displacements and living situations. These creatures haven't posed any great threats to us, we would like to think we can live with them in harmony until proven otherwise. We understand that we are not their equal and we will never try to be.
3-6 million people homeless
-People are unhappy because they do not have the proper shelter or health care that is needed in these refugee camps.
-People in other cities are not compliant with refugees from Tokyo invading their cities/ stadiums/ parks.
-Military is trying to get people out in an orderly fashion.
-Military is preventing pretty much anyone to enter the city at this time. We need to clean up the mass amounts of water, bodies, rubble before anyone who is not authorized to enter the city can do so. The city is currently a hotbed for outbreaks of all kinds of disease and/or harm to the people. (I.e. falling buildings...)
-Lots of people who want to enter refugee camps did not actually come from Tokyo. They just wanted to hop on the band wagon of getting this free shelter/food/health care from the government. We were trying to deal with organizing this mess but we could not refuse people who did not have proof of living in Tokyo therefore we had to accept many more people into these camps than planned.
My mobile phone, email, TV, as well as the newspaper, radio, and ads displayed downtown have all informed me that my home, Tokyo, is a predicted target for Asteroids to land. As a result, the Japan government has ordered an immediate 5 day evacuation of the city. I have reread all of the PSA's and it seems like my government is doing their very best to maintain order and calm among our people. I am fearful of my life during this evacuation since this city holds well over 12 million people and we only have 5 days to evacuate. My immediate family amounts to 4 and we are fortunate to own a car, which we will use to leave the city. I am, however, nervous that 2 days will not be enough to get out of the metropolitan via own transportation. We are less fortunate in the sense that all of our extended family and other associations resides in, or near the Tokyo area. As a result, my family and I will stay connected with our social networks to try and meet up at one of the many designated quartering areas. Our government has assured us, on paper at least, that we will be well taken care of in these quartering areas. For now, I feel overwhelmed with trying to pack up our life essentials and staying close to my family and friends. Knowing that I have my family with me is my one ray of light during this dark time.
ATTENTION
TOKYO IN STATE OF EMERGENCY
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
February 16, 2011
UNDER MILITARY REGULATIONS
CITIZENS MUST COMPLY TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
o Full evacuation of the city must be completed within 5 days
o Travel via highways allowed on the following days:
February 16, February 17
o Travel via highways will be suspended for the following 3 days
o Public transportation readily available
o Only essential items may be brought out of Tokyo
o If driving out of the city, take as many people with you as possible
o All non-essential traffic must stay off the roads in prefectures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
MILITARY PERSONELLE WILL HELP EVACUATE
Office of the Prime Minister
16 February 2011
Given the change in path of the projectiles hurtling toward the surface of the planet, the previous evacuation orders are hereby rescinded.
Our scientists now report that the majority of projectiles will fall on the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, prompting the government to implement an evacuation plan for that area.
The following is effective immediately:
The following prefectures will be evacuated:
11 Gunma
12 Saitama
12 Tokyo
14 Kanagawa
Residents have 5 days to evacuate. The JSDF/USFJ will assist in the evacuation, and will forcibly evacuate or detain citizens who resist.
After day 2, all civilian traffic will be prohibited from traveling on any highway traveling in or out of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.
Effective immediately, all non-essential traffic, as determined by the JSDF/USFJ, is prohibited from traveling into the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.
All non-essential traffic is to stay off highways in prefectures 8, 9 and 10, so that evacuees may leave the Tokyo Metropolitan Area without hindrance or delay.
Yokota AFB (USAF) and Atsugi Naval Air Facility (JMDF, USN) will immediately be evacuated of all military aircraft and warships. The bases will be used as a headquarters for the military personnel moved to the region to assist in the evacuation.
All national government offices in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, including the Emperor and His Imperial Staff, the National Diet, and the Supreme Court, will be moved to Kyoto, because of its status as Japan’s former capitol.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange will suspend trading until further notice.
All privately owned rail, bus, taxi, ferry, and subway lines are hereby nationalized to assist with the evacuation.
Citizens of Tokyo are encouraged to seek out relatives to stay with that live outside the metropolitan area. If this is not a feasible option, citizens may seek shelter in refugee centers set up by the military. Please refer to the military report for further information.
The aforementioned procedures will remain in place until a further directive from this office rescinds them.
ALL STATEMENTS IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE CONFIDENTIAL
To Whom This May Concern:
This memo has been delivered to you one reason and one reason only: first, you are an official who will be facilitating the movement of the population of Tokyo into a safer, more stable part of our country. It is imperative that you understand the private details and the unnerving potential realities of what this exodus may cause our people.
You most likely have seen the PSA’s that were released yesterday and are now being broadcast throughout the nation. I must stress that the information presented in these is not necessarily false, but it fails to paint the most accurate picture of the probable consequences of this massive, military transport.
As you well know, Japan has recently been infected by a somewhat abnormally dangerous form of the common cold. As we are in winter, this normally is not of much concern to our peoples. However with so many quartered so near one another for what could last up to weeks, we must do all we can to keep the disease from gaining an increased lethality or contagiousness. The public also must be aware of its potential danger. Keeping those who are quartered healthy is the most significant prerequisite for keeping them calm. Heed my warning that if this disease spreads, it will mean disaster for the future of our nation, Tokyo and all.
A few protective measures are to be enacted. First, the facilities in which our citizens are transported to must be kept as clean as possible. This means constant distribution of soap and hand sanitizer. This means a ready supply of green tea. This means having a well-ventilated area free of dust, dirt, mucus, or phlegm. For those who are infected (the definition of which includes those who appear as if they could be sick), the main health center must be kept at least half of a mile away from where the people sleep. In the event of death a body must be disposed of through means of cremation. A nearby location for emergencies could prove indispensable for those who are dramatically ill, but should not be used regularly.
The second protective measure is mandatory surgical masks and latex gloves at all times. The only method by which our peoples could destroy themselves through disease is through their own doing. Their biggest fear needs to be one another. This therefore means a strict policy of keeping hands and the release of breath directly into the air directly exposed as little as possible.
Although health is extraordinarily important, the process of keeping the people of Tokyo happy requires much more than that. The PSA stated that three square meals a day would be served. As much as I wish it were, this is not the truth. Two meals per day will be provided, neither of which will be hot nor tasty, but will be as healthy as military food can be. Included with each meal is the option to have the tea of choice or water, but not both. Make certain that despite you falling through on your promise, you are doing all that you can to keep food being provided as much as possible.
The most extreme – and still very prudent – means of keeping safety is the necessity of guards: both undercover and in uniform. Most guards should be undercover. These should be individuals who do what they can do to foster a sense of amnesty, to bring about the feeling of mutual struggle and mutual learning in this experience. They shall only reveal their identity in the threat of any type of murder or insurgency. They will hold order.
The final step to order is keeping all citizens informed and feeling active. Allow individuals to meet with a figure of authority at all times to discuss their views on what currently should be done. Let people show their advocacy and piece of mind. As they create opinions, keep them in the loop on the facts. No one person is worried more than another, and updates on the state of affairs in Tokyo is very necessary. We are all weary. We are all afraid, tired, and anxious. We must keep all informed. We must give the people the personal feeling of security that knowledge brings. In an effort to mitigate the terror of the worst possible occurrences, you in the quartering stations must broadcast the news yourself, in an effort to maintain any possible sense of hope or certainly or calm that can possibly be attained.
Remember that the citizens of Tokyo are good people. They are upset, afraid and angry. Do not feel these same emotions; be rational; be saviors to these troubled souls in this troubled time.
Best of luck,
Shigeru Miyamoto
Good citizens of Tokyo,
This is a fearful time for all of us, and I must urge all of you to be as cooperative in these dire circumstances as possible; through compliance and reason, every one of you will be safe.
The asteroids that are heading towards this city are by all means dangerous. They are, however, by no means fatal if proper action is taken. We cannot be sure of the damage that this series of asteroids will result in; what we can be sure of is that the strike will not end man’s existence, it will not end Japan’s existence, it will harm the structure and surface of Tokyo, and Tokyo alone. Asteroids that hit the city have the potential for massive destruction, and – this is not a time to create euphemisms or be lighthearted – through either this initial damage or short-lived extreme conditions they will leave behind, can lead to a loss of millions of lives if we do not save ourselves, if we do not evacuate.
The asteroids are scheduled to strike in one week, and the city must be evacuated in five days from today. The subways and highways will be of use, and for those of you who have nowhere to go, the Japanese military is sponsoring quartering areas throughout the country. These areas are far enough away to be clear of any asteroid strike, and have the resources to keep all individuals healthy and well-fed. Beds, blankets, and three meals per day will be provided. All the sanitation that is necessary will be given for free, as well as Green Tea and other healthy liquid beverages. There will be health service centers, ample beds, telephones, and frequent radio updates. Buses will be leaving hourly to go to one of these four locations, all will have the same resources, and all will hold the same number of people. The choice of which center is yours.
Those who do not leave within the five day limit will be forcibly removed to a quartering center. We cannot allow citizens of this great city to lose their lives in such a manner.
If we evacuate, we live in safety. We will struggle, the whole world will struggle, but we will be a model for strength and reason for all generations to come. These are hard times for all of us, but we must move in solidarity to bring about a positive result.
Stay clean, happy, and safe. Best of luck to all of us.
Office of the Prime Minister
Asteroids – Evasive Maneuvers!
In response to the space matter that is expected to fall on our nation, the following measures will be taken by the Japanese government.
Effective at 0800 15 Feb 2011, the following prefectures will be forcibly evacuated by the JSDF/USFJ:
2 Aomori
32 Shimane
34 Hiroshima
35 Yamaguchi
At 1600 17 Feb 2011, all residents must be out of these prefectures. Those who remain will be detained by the military until further notice.
These areas are to remain evacuated until it is deemed safe to reenter them, via a directive from this office.
All warships and submarines of the Japanese Maritime Defense Force will move out to sea. The government of Japan advises the United States Navy Seventh Fleet to do so as well.
The government of Japan holds the safety of its citizens as the highest obligation and pledges to remain as transparent as possible during this crisis. The prime minister implores all citizens to look out for further updates from the government.
Office of the Prime Minister
Citizens of Japan,
Our government has become aware of a widespread outbreak of the common cold across the nation. To prevent this pesky virus from spreading, and leaving citizens increasingly susceptible to other, more serious diseases, the Ministry of Health is making following recommendations.
1. Citizens, especially those living in urban areas, are implored to wear surgical masks when in public to prevent spreading or receiving this highly communicable disease from person-to-person contact.
2. Citizens are urged to use hand sanitizers after using the lavatory or after eating.
3. Employees and students are encouraged to stay home if they present symptoms of the cold. Employers and school administrators are encouraged to send people home if they exhibit symptoms - they present a public health risk. It is in the best interest of employers to prevent sick employees from entering the workplace – if more workers are infected, productivity will plummet.
4. Drink lots of herbal beverages.
In addition, based on suggestions by Ministry of Health, the following public policy changes will take place immediately.
1. Public transit attendants (a.k.a “pushers”) are instructed to not force persons onto trains as they normally would.
2. Free surgical masks and latex gloves will be placed in subway terminals.
We thank you for your cooperation and pledge to remain open about the evolution of this public health concern, and other ways average citizens can combat it.
Your humble prime minister,
Akira Kurosawa
Internal:
Phase 1: Pre-Event Preparedness
a. Because of Japan’s dearth of proper pharmaceuticals during the outbreak of H1N1, we must constantly have the proper supplies to combat another such pandemic. Most drugs of this kid have a shelf-life of up to seven years, and therefore can be kept stored away for when they are necessary.
b. Furthermore, the country must frequently do research on all types of anti-pandemic drugs, and strive to find the most effective one.
c. Government officials must survey the four main islands to gather information on which of these islands will be easiest to use as either a safe-zone for the healthy, or a quarantine-zone for the sick.
d. Government officials must also study the economic impact of shutting down various sectors of citizen life (schools, transportation, office buildings) and which would be the least destructive in the case of a nation-wide pandemic.
Phase 2: Early Warning Mobilization
a. As soon as outbreak begins to spread, the nation’s top scientists must come together to discuss the possible ways in which to develop and distribute a vaccine. Search for disease-ridden volunteers on whom to test the vaccine.
b. Officials must check the status of pandemic-fighting pharmaceuticals, surgical masks, and fresh water, in order to prepare for distribution to the people. Where the threat of outbreak seems severe, these must be given to all citizens.
c. All air travel and sea travel must be heavily monitored; all who travel in our out of Japan must be checked for disease before departure.
d. All travel on the Shinkansen and other railways must be heavily monitored; all who travel must be checked for disease before departure.
e. Begin to hire extra hospital and health-worker staff to aid potential patients in need.
f. Finalize quarantine or safe-zones.
Phase 3: Response and Recovery
a. Begin to distribute medicine and/or vaccine, surgical masks, and clean water throughout the country.
b. Begin to move the ill to quarantine zones. If necessary, move the safe to safe-zones.
c. Shut down all air and land travel and commercial travel between the main islands.
d. Shut down all commercial railway travel along the Taiheyō Belt.
e. Continue to test vaccine to make sure it is remaining effective and the disease has yet to adapt to it.
f. If and when necessary, close the schools, close public transportation, and finally close all office buildings. The last resort is an 8pm curfew, during which emergency health service will be available.
g. Begin to hire healthy individuals to work as health and care providers.
h. Broadcast on an hourly basis the ways in which individuals can protect themselves from the pandemic.
i. If necessary, exterminate all rats and/or insects.
j. If necessary, cremate all dead bodies.
Phase 4: Evaluation and Knowledge Integration Phase
a. Once pandemic has subsided, make certain that vaccines that have been developed are saved and kept for use in future outbreaks.
b. Slowly begin to re-open schools, businesses, and forms of travel.
c. For the first six months, keep all health inspectors and regulators.
d. Have government officials and scientists spend the following year assessing the extent to which the quarantine plans and vaccines were effective and draw up a paper of what can be done better.
e. Send government officials to corporations that lost more than 1/3 of all employees to instruct revamping of the economy.
External:
Phase 1: Pre-Event Preparedness
a. Follow all procedures of internal plan.
b. Keep ties with other nations close enough to aid them and make sure that in the future, they will aid us.
Phase 2: Early Warning Mobilization
a. Monitor all incoming air and sea travel. Check individuals for disease before and after travelling.
b. Follow all procedures of internal phase 2.
Phase 3: Response and Recovery Phase
a. Patrol all borders for illegal entrance into country.
b. Shut down all land and sea travel.
c. Shut down inter-island travel.
d. Offer aid to foreign nations; send groups out with message of peace to cure the pandemic.
e. Begin to administer vaccine to diseased individuals.
Phase 4: Evaluation and Knowledge Integration
a. Follow all procedures of internal phase.
b. Make sure ties are kept close, and economic aid is given to poverty stricken nations.
c. Work to understand causes of pandemic, and take note of what countries succeeded and failed in.
Office of the Prime Minister
Re: Pandemic Preparedness Report
Japan is prepared to handle a widespread pandemic of any kind. Our health care system is among the best in the world, and we have nearly 10,000 hospitals and clinics. The overall health of citizens is good, and Japanese live longer than citizens of any other nation.
We are blessed to be naturally isolated from other nations, so it would be more difficult for a disease to spread to our shores. If necessary, it would be possible to close all water and air ports in the country. The Maritime Self-Defense Force, specifically created to protect shipping lanes and the water boundaries of Japan, would have to trouble preventing vessels from reaching our shores if the ports are closed.
Japan will not hesitate to seek help during a crisis from our strongest ally, the United States. Japan is the fourth largest trading partner of the United States, and it is in the best interest of both nations to sustain this valuable partnership. The United States currently has 35,000 military personnel stationed in our country, and is obligated by the Japan-America Security Alliance to defend Japan in return for the use of its military bases. Scientists from both nations will not be hindered by national identities in striving toward a common goal – ultimately, a vaccine – in continuing to sustain a mutually beneficial relationship between our two great nations.
The military has developed a four-step action plan to identify, combat and control a pandemic. For the specifics of which, I will refer you to that report. The military and scientific community are in a position to cooperate meaningfully and effectively should a pandemic occur. The Japanese government will heed the advice of out scientists, and direct the military to act on their recommendations, be it in the form of curfews, quarantines or travel restrictions.
The resolve of the Japanese people is strong. We have been tested as a nation before with a pandemic, and we have weathered all challenges. In 2009, our country was beset upon by H1N1, a particularly deadly form of influenza resulting from the combination of avian, swine, and human strains of the virus. Our citizens showed a remarkable willingness to change their daily routines and lifestyles to prevent the pandemic from worsening. Millions of Japanese opted to wear surgical masks when in public, and the pandemic subsided. Though two hundred Japanese were killed by the disease, all hospitals remained operational and no one region was especially vulnerable.
Our government is prepared to handle a global pandemic, and has a complex, structured plan to overcome and challenge that we are faced with. Our people have demonstrated strength and solidarity throughout our gloried history, and I have my full confidence that we will not only survive, but succeed valiantly in the face of crisis.
Your humble prime minister,
Akira Kurosawa
Our country relies strongly on social sanctions, emphasizing a central guide of principles that benefits harmony. Our school systems have taught young children to recognize that they are members of an interdependent society. We, the people of Japan, depend on one another, realizing that human contentment comes from close associations between one another. Dependence on other community members is a natural part of our human condition. We first learn the importance of social sanctions by starting with family values, extending into larger community groups like neighborhoods, schools, and work.
Current State of Affairs in Japanese Science
Geography:
- land=377,835km sq.
- Archipelago with 6,852 islands
- Natural resources: negligible coal, oil, iron, fish and minerals (has to import most resources)
- ¼ of land is mountainous (highest is Mt. Fuji (12,388 ft)
- Four principal islands: Hokkaido, Hoshnu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
- Japanese Alps (marked by Hida, Kiso and Akaishi are in central Japan
- Rivers provide a great source of hydroelectric power
- Cool in the north, subtropical in the south
- Rainy with high humidity
- June=rainy season
- August-early September=typhoon season
- 10% of world’s active volcanoes are in Japan, rarely are eruptions serious
Energy
- World’s leading importer of fossil fuels (exhaustible and renewable)
- Acid rain comes from pollution of the air from power plants
- Water pollution affects the use of renewable water resources
- Belief in teaching hard work and moral values
- Aim to develop students who properly fit into Japanese culure
- Entrance exams throughout system, rigorous
- Students rank near the top in math internationally
- Mandatory free schooling from grades 1-9 (most are public)
- 94% of students go onto complete grades 10-12 (private school is popular)
- Educational system highly centralized, organized by Ministry of Education
- Teaching is a highly esteemed profession, and are well paid
- Junior high school (grades 7-9) has up to 38 students per class
- Modern schools considered to fulfill these roles “
1. Transmitting cognitive knowledge;
2. Socializing and acculturating;
3. Selecting and differentiating young people;
4. Legitimating what they teach.”
- Consumer electronics industry is world’s largest electronics manufacturers with companies such : sony, pentax(optics), casio, mitsubitshi, Panasonic, canon, Epson(computer printers), Toshiba, Nikon, Nintendo
- Electronics industry is leading contributor to GDP
- Japanese electronics are being challenged by other countries in “productivity, financial performance, and brand value”
- Automotive industry: Honda, Toyota (largest automobile manufacturer based on sales), Nissan, mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, isuzu, Yamaha
- Considered world’s third largest auto market
- Biggest car producer in 2008 (9.916 million vehicles)
- 95% of motor vehicles made by domestic companies
- Leads the world in robotics
- Shinkansen train lines is a network of high-speed railway lines (1,528mi long network (2,459km))
- World’s busiest high-speed line
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) runs the Hayabusa, which has the ability to fly to and retrieve meteorite samples for research
- Annual research funding is over $1mil
- Japanese technology regulated by the Ministry of International Technology and Industry (MITI)
- Technology is more focused on improving individual lives than improving defense
http://web-japan.org/trends/science/
http://web.mit.edu/murj/www/v11/v11-Features/v11-f1.pdf
http://www.thomaswhite.com/explore-the-world/Postcard/2009/tokyo-motor-show.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_industry_in_Japan
https://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/index.wss/ibvstudy/gbs/a1027400?cntxt=a1005266/
http://countrystudies.us/japan/77.htm
http://www.env.go.jp/en/
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Japan-ENVIRONMENT.html
JAPAN
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS
CURRENT STATE OF: MILITARY, TECHNOLOGY, MILITARY HISTORY, SAFETY AND GEOGRAPHY
This is just a current statement on the state of the Japanese military. We are subcategorized into the Ministry of Defense, Ground Self-Defense Force, Maritime Self-Defense Force and Air Self-Defense Force. Our Self-Defense forces, also known as the Jieitai, which was created shortly after the United States deployed out of Japan at the conclusion of World War II, remains as one of the most technologically advanced armed forces in the world. As the 1960’s Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security states, American military bases are allowed in Japan. Most of these bases reside on Okinawa. It continues to stand that the age to serve in the military is 18 and it is on a voluntary basis. We currently have 27,461,338 males and 26,478,466 women ages 16-49 serving. Right now only 0.8% of our GDP is being put towards military expenditures.
Although we have not participated in major combat since being defeated in WWII, during that war we displayed significant advances in military technology, strategy and tactics. The United States of America forced our hand in surrendering after they dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Now there is the Three Non-Nuclear Principles pledge that we will not possess, produce or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons into the country. The Atomic Energy Basic Law only allows peaceful nuclear activities.
Even though we do not have a ballistic missile development program, our space program includes many technologies that could be applied to long-range missiles. Our solid-fueled M-5 rocket system that was first launched in 1995 includes sophisticated technologies that could be applied elsewhere. We have partnered with the United States to research ballistic missile defenses but we have not made a final decision on the future development and deployment. It is a controversial topic because many believe that a missile defense system would compliment the United State’s nuclear deterrent and help us defend ourselves from countries such as North Korea. The other side of this argument is that the cost of the system would outweigh the benefits because the system’s effectiveness is not fully proven.
We are proud to say that Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The National Public Safety Commission, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, continues to work to maintain public order while keeping our crime rate very low. Japan is comprised of 377,915 square kilometers with 29,751 kilometers of coastline. There are several thousand little islands that make up Japan, but the four largest are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. They are separated by narrow straits and form a natural entity. The land is mostly rugged and mountainous. There are mountain ranges running through each of the main islands, which leaves little flat land to exist. Japan is a located in a volcanic zone so there are frequent low intensity earth tremors and the occasional volcanic activity, which could be felt throughout the islands.
Capital: Tokyo, one of the largest metropolitan area in the world
Language-
Only 1 official language spoken- Japanese
Many Japanese are able to understand English (more or less) due to it being a requirement in their compulsory education. Japanese is written with a combination of 3 scripts: hiragana, katakana, and karyi.
Culture-
Labor force (as of 2009): 62.82 million: 36.44 million males, 26.38 million females)
Unemployment rate: 5.1 %
Means of communication- cellphones: 10.6 million, telephone: 38.8 million, snail mail: 21.2 billion, telegram: 15.9 million
Broadband subscribers (March ‘09): 30.3 million
Average TV viewing hrs/day: M-F= 3 hrs, 4m S=4hrs, 25m
Average radio listening hrs/day: M-F= 38m S= 25m
# of cable TV subscribers: 31.3 million households
Music: Japanese music is composed from traditional Buddhist chanting, orchestra court music, folk and classical music as well as modern electro-pop, club, R&B, and dance music. After WWII Japan’s music scene was heavily influenced by American and European modern music, which eventually lead to popularity of Japanese pop, or J-pop. Karaoke is a popular cultural activity, where local and mainstream music is heard. Japan has the second largest music market in the world (America is the largest). A form of Japanese drumming, called Taiko, has become widely popular in folk and music festivals.
Literature: Early Japanese literature was strongly influenced by other cultures such as India, China, even Buddhism. Eventually, Japan developed their own separate literature style where authors created their own works. Post WWII deeply influenced many authors.
Sports: Sumo wrestling is traditionally Japans national sport. Martial arts such as Judo, Karate, and Kendo are all widely practiced. Japan has hosted 1 summer Olympics and 2 winter Olympics. Baseball (a professional league started in 1936) is the most popular spectator sport. Football, or soccer, has gained wide recognition over the past few years. Golf is another rising sport in Japan as well as forms of auto racing and motor sports, such as drifting.
Arts: Japans traditional woodblock printing fused with Western art to help create Manga; a Japanese comic book art format. Anime is manga-influenced animation for TV/films.
Visual Arts: Painting, Calligraphy, scuplture, Ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) and Ikebana (flower arranging). The publishing of film/video, music, and gaming industries making up the growing modernized culture of Japan that is estimated to be worth (in ‘06) close to 400 billion US dollars.
Cuisine: Known for its emphasis on quality ingredients and presentation, Japanese cuisine relies a great deal on seasonal foods for their meals. During the ancient era, Japan shifted into an agricultural society where rice cultivation began. Since then rice has been the preferred staple of their diet. Noodles and bread are also among the most common national foods in Japan. Seafood, chicken, and vegetables are commonly used ingredients. It’s customary to say “Itadakimasu” [I humbly receive] before starting to eat a meal.
Leisure-
72.876 trillion yen= size of leisure related industry
Dining out: 73.7 million people
Domestic Leisure trips: 60.2 million people
Driving: 51.4 million people
Lottery: 45.6 million people
